Sunday, April 28, 2013

Spread the Word

I have this really bad habit of just spitting out ideas without any consideration of the repercussions of what I've just said. So I'm going to share this crazy idea I had a few days ago. My friend and I are going to write a children's book. It's going to be awesome for several reasons that I will not outline just yet. As we work through the writing and creating process, I will share the journey with you. Until then, this is all I have to say because I don't want anyone to steal our fantastic idea. Stay tuned folks!!


In the meantime, please share my blog with your friends over and under 30. I hope to reach 1,000 page views over the next two weeks but I can't do it without your help. That being said, here are some blogs that I follow that you should check out too.







Bottom of the Net: A blog about basketball from the perspective of a coach







Hortipopia: A blog about going greeen and gardening H A R D



Everyday Ephee: A blog about everything and I mean everything

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I love TMZ


but only because I am not a celebrity.  I know it is trashy and mindless and in poor taste to watch a show centered around gossip but it's entertaining.  Maybe I'll grow out of watching and reading TMZ as soon as I turn 30 but maybe, just maybe, I'll be watching them until they no longer exist. 


Now that we all know I'm a TMZ fan, I think my next train of thought will make a bit more sense. I have a very small bubble that I call home. I went to one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. I have had the majority of my friendships for well over 10 years. I'm not even sure if I know how to make new friends because I can't remember the last time I've had to do that.  In fact, I still live within 5 miles of the house I grew up in, all of the schools I attended, and most importantly the homes that my dad and sister live in today.  That being said, while Orlando is a pretty big metropolitan area, I consider this a "small town area".  I can't really go anywhere without seeing someone I know or knew well at one point or another. This is why I try hard to never, ever, ever leave my house looking crazy


“I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

― Coco Chanel

I think celebrities know who Coco Chanel. She's pretty famous and to some infamous. Regardless, this quote says everything I am thinking and feeling about looking at pictures and videos of celebrities out and about. On one hand, I get it. You are probably on your way to a set where your hair, makeup, and wardrobe will be selected for you. Maybe you just really want Starbucks after 36 hours of working on location. Maybe you just don't feel well! On the other hand, did you see what Coco said? Seems like pretty solid advice. This may sound like judging but I'm not. I'm just making observations and blogging about them. This is America! You are free to dress however you like regardless of what you may look like plastered on tmz.com.  I, however, will be channeling the wise words of Coco Chanel each and every time I leave the house. For now. . . who knows what life is like after 30?

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Time is of the Essence. . . or is it?

I just sprinted to my laptop because I had convinced myself it had been over a week since my last blog post. I'm not sure if this is the result of a broken concept of time or a broken memory. I struggle with time and memory so really, it could be either. At this rate, we'll never know. . .


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Does Andersoon Cooper like his Job?

I want to have 10 different career/jobs before I retire so I am ALWAYS looking to do something different. Everywhere I go, I am constantly asking people to tell me the positive and negative aspects of their jobs.

On Friday, I was watching CNN's terrible coverage of the Boston bombing suspects capture and I started to wonder. . . does Anderson Cooper like his job? Journalism is a career that I briefly considered and I used to believe that A Coop has one of the most exciting jobs on the planet. I turn to him in times of crisis and confusion to guide me through. But as I watched him stand on a street corner and listened to the Boston police scanners online I just kept thinking the last place I would want to be during the boat standoff was 500 feet away.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

5 Greatest Songs E V E R

Over the last few weeks, I've been on a quest to find some new music. I've been listening to playlists on Spotify, creating random radio stations on Pandora, and soliciting suggestions from friends. As I inch closer to 30, I keep thinking back to how good music used to be. I know that I am not even close to being "old" but I love older music. This has prompted me to give you, my top 5 songs of all time. Check out my list and most importantly, share your top 5. Like I said, I'm on a search for new and new to me music.

Honorable Mentions:

*Michael Jackson: Thriller
*Prince AKA The Artist Formerly Known as Prince: 1999
*Puff Daddy/Diddy/Sean Combs: All About the Benjamins
*David Bowie: Let's Dance
*Madonna: Holiday


5. Back & Forth

Artist: Aaliyah
Album: Age Ain't Nothin But a Number
Year of Release: 1994
Favorite lines: 
It's Friday 
and I'm ready to swing
pick up my girls
Hit the party scene
Reason I love it: She dressed like me; Okay I didn't actually wear baggy pants with my boxers showing but I wanted to. I also love basketball and dancing. That's pretty much what this video/song represents. 


4. Around the World

Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: Californication
Year of Release: 1999
Favorite lines: 
All around the world
We could make time
Rompin' and a-stompin'
'cause I'm in my prime

Reason I love it: I have a crush on Anthony Kiedis' voice. The bassline is amazing. Did I mention I have a crush on Anthony Kiedis' voice?

3. Stronger


Artist: Kanye West
Album: Graduation
Year of Release: 2006
Favorite lines: 

Bow in the presence of greatness
‘Cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness

Reason I love it: Kanye reminds me of my myself. If I didn't know better, I'd swear we were siblings. He is quirky (weird), irrational, fashionable, witty, and an overall genius! He took a very dull song (in my opinion) and turned it into this work of art!

2. This is How We Do It


Artist: Montell Jordan
Album: This is How We Do It
Year of Release: 1994
Favorite lines: 
The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani 

All the gang bangers forgot about the drive-by 

Reason I love it: Everything about this song screams party! This scene from This Means War pretty much sums up my home life (nothing too exciting going on here) and this song as the soundtrack is PERFECT.





1. Let's Stay Together



Artist: Al Green
Album: Let's Stay Together
Year of Release: 1971
Favorite lines:

That let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad
Reason I love it: It's actually VERY weird that this is my favorite song since I don't think I ever want to get married but it is and has been for as long as I can remember. I love, love (not enough to do anything to be in love or anything crazy like that) and I think everyone should be in love at some point. It's SO much fun! Love, love, love you all! :)


Now, it's your turn. What are your favorite songs of all time?!?





Saturday, April 13, 2013

Fitness Videos

Fitness videos can be great. All you have to do to get your exercise done is wake up, stand up, and push play on the DVD  player. Watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta has reminded me of the existence of these videos (see Donkey v. Stallion, 2013). This morning I woke up and could not think of anything I would like to do less than get dressed and go to the gym, zzzzzzzzzzzz. So I did some Zumba/watched the workout DVD. This got me thinking, are the stars of this video even working out? They get all dressed up, in their fanciest workout gear, in some exotic location, with a hair and makeup team.

This



 is not what I look like when I'm Zumba-ing.


Thursday, April 11, 2013

And my Buns Don't Nothin Like Steel

In preparation for 30, I've decided I should be a bit more healthy. In my craziness, I have taken on this 30 day squat challenge. Basically, you start with 50 squats a day and increase by 5 each day. There are a couple of rest days sprinkled in between. I started this on Sunday and it is a lot harder than it sounds. That being said, I know that I am already "fit"-ish and I know that I am only on day 5 but so far, 




Clueless always knows how I'm feelin'!




Sunday, April 7, 2013

Too Young to Buy Spray Paint

Last weekend I noticed that all of my neighbors were outside working. I chose to go to the mall instead. At the end of that weekend, I was slightly jealous of all the renewed energy in their homes and yards. Soooo, this weekend I took on some DIY projects. I ended up painting my bathroom, organizing the garage, and prepping my yard for
S P R I N G. I headed to my favorite store The Home Depot to get supplies. I'm not sure how old you need to be to buy spray paint but I was definitely carded. I'm not sure if I should be annoyed now because I am quickly approaching thirty or save my annoyance for the day when I am no longer carded.

I started on the bathroom very, very early and was able to get it pretty much done before my free labor came over to help. (THANKS FRIENDS)The walls were a very unflattering shade of pink when I moved in and I vowed to change that immediately!

It's hard to see but trust me, the walls are ugly
I bought the paint right away and then time got away from me. Three years later, I finally painted the bathroom! 
I was also missing a crucial piece of hardware, a towel rack. I bought a new one (Target had a chrome one on sale for $8!!), new towels, and a new bathmat. I'll post pictures more pictures as soon as I get the rack up!! I'm extra proud of myself because I actually took the time to tape everything correctly and my ceilings, granite, window, and door are all free of gray paint. My dad is very proud :).

I spent the majority of the weekend working on front and backyard projects. I had a huge wooden work table in the yard that at one time, stored all of the pool cleaning tools. I moved the pool stuff to the garage and the table became my dog's favorite place to dig holes. Anything wooden that isn't properly cared for usually rots and that's exactly what happened in this case. My friend and I spent about an hour DESTROYING the table with our feet and hammers. I think this would be a great way to get out all of our built up rage. We don't really have built up rage but it was fun regardless. I forgot to take pictures so you'll just have to use your imagination. 

Also in the yard, we painted some chairs I have on the pool deck. They're not done drying yet so here are some pictures of them upside down. 
Again, just use your imagination to visualize them upright and on the deck
I have a friend who is a horticulturist (Check out his awesome Hortipopia) who helped me get the yard ready. I forgot 'before' pictures (sorry guys, I will get better) but here are some 'after' pictures for you to check out. 
Cordyline

Look at my shadow!

Welcome!


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Fergie


My body stay vicious

I be up in the gym just working on my fitness



Are you allowed to quote Fergie after thirty? She's much older than 30 so I think it's fine. . . maybe I'll consult one of those fancy women's magazines (Vogue, Elle, Cosmo) I bet they would know!! 

At work every spring they have a 50 Days of Fitness Challenge. For the low price of $5 you get access to gyms and fitness classes for 50 days. Normally, this is not the type of foolishness that I would engage in. I am, however, reaching middle age so it's about time I engage in some type of physical activity. In all honesty, I decided to signup because of a friend. . .such a follower. Irregardless (I know that's not a "real" word but it's okay because I am STILL 29). 

In the last 50 days, I've been to several gyms, changed my eating habits slightly, and realized how important physical activity is to so many people. I even watched one episode of The Biggest Loser. Only one episode though, the show is great but waaaay too long.  This morning I even cycled 10 miles in 30 minutes. I can't guarantee that this is a huge accomplishment but I feel like it is so I'm sharing my picture.

EAT THAT LANCE ARMSTRONG!